Gambia’s parliament has firmly upheld the ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), a practice that has been a disputed issue within the country. This decision came after a significant parliamentary vote where the proposal to lift the ban was thoroughly rejected.
Gambia, a predominantly Muslim nation, has been at a crossroads, caught between cultural traditions and global human rights standards. The proposed bill, introduced by lawmaker Almaneh Gibba, aimed to reverse the existing prohibition of FGM, arguing it was a matter of cultural and religious rights. However, this perspective faced strong opposition both locally and internationally, as many Islamic scholars and global health authorities contest that FGM has any religious or health merits.
The practice of FGM is widespread in Gambia and deeply ingrained in some local traditions. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) and numerous health experts highlight that it offers no health benefits and can cause severe harm including bleeding, shock, long-term psychological damage, and even death. The persistence of this practice has spurred international outcry and a push for its eradication.
The legislative journey of the bill was tumultuous. Initially, it seemed to gain some traction in March during its second reading in parliament, with only five out of fifty-three lawmakers opposing it. This preliminary approval raised alarms among human rights advocates who feared Gambia might backtrack on significant progress made in the fight against FGM.
Following the initial reading, the parliament held extensive public hearings, allowing various stakeholders, including medical professionals and FGM survivors, to voice their opinions. These testimonies had a profound impact, highlighting the severe consequences of the practice. On July 8, after careful consideration, the health and gender affairs committees of the parliament recommended maintaining the ban, a report that was later adopted by a majority vote of 35 to 17, with two abstentions.
The definitive vote occurred this Monday, with around thirty MPs opposing each clause of the bill. This overwhelming opposition prompted Parliament Speaker Fabakary Tombong Jatta to halt any further progress of the bill, declaring the legislative efforts exhausted and the bill rejected outright.
The continued ban on FGM is seen as a testament to Gambia’s dedication to upholding international and human rights standards. Satang Nabaneh, a Gambian legal scholar, emphasized that the rejection of the bill is a clear indication of Gambia’s commitment to these principles and a call for better enforcement of anti-FGM laws.
Despite the ban being in place since 2015, enforcement has been challenging. The country recorded its first and only conviction related to FGM in 2023, which involved three women found guilty of performing the procedure on eight infant girls. This case, while isolated, underscores the complexities involved in eradicating such a deeply rooted practice.
The decision to maintain the ban has been met with mixed emotions from activists like Fatou Baldeh, an anti-FGM campaigner who herself was subjected to the practice at the age of eight. She expressed relief over the decision but remained disheartened that the proposal to lift the ban was even considered, highlighting the ongoing risk it posed to women and girls in Gambia.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, alongside other high-level United Nations representatives, has lauded the decision, stressing the fragile nature of progress in the global fight against FGM. They collectively warned that the rights of women and girls remain under threat globally, and such victories are crucial in the broader struggle for gender equality and human rights.
